Finance Business Partner

Finance Business Partner

Salary: c. £55,000–£60,000

Permanent, Full-time

Hybrid working – 2 days in office

Location: Central London

A leading international policy institute is seeking a Finance Business Partner to join its finance team. This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) to play a pivotal role in supporting world-class research that shapes debate and drives solutions to global challenges.

About the role

As Finance Business Partner, you will provide strategic financial insight and support to one of the organisation’s flagship research centres. The centre delivers thought leadership on the intersection of environment, society, and international affairs – working with governments, business and civil society to influence policy and accelerate sustainable change.

Embedded within the research centre but working closely with the wider finance team, you will take the lead on budgeting, forecasting and management reporting, ensuring resources are aligned with strategic priorities. You will also oversee complex grant- and contract-funded projects, helping to ensure that funding is used effectively and reported transparently to international partners and donors.

This role offers the opportunity to shape how financial insight supports high-impact research, strengthen the link between finance and programme delivery, and contribute to a major organisational transformation, including the introduction of a new finance system.

Key priorities in your first six months

• Lead on annual budgeting, quarterly forecasting and financial reporting for the centre.
• Oversee project finances, including income recognition, funder reporting and contract compliance.
• Partner with senior researchers and programme managers, ensuring financial information drives decision-making and accountability.
• Support process improvement and system changes as part of a wider finance transformation.

About you

We are seeking a fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with experience in finance business partnering or management accounting, ideally within an international NGO, policy institute, or other research-led, grant-funded environment.

You will bring:

• Strong experience in budgeting, forecasting and reporting.
• Knowledge of international funding models, including government or foundation grants and contracts.
• The ability to present financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues and senior stakeholders.
• A collaborative and proactive approach, with an interest in supporting research that addresses global issues.

This is a unique opportunity to combine your financial expertise with a commitment to advancing solutions on some of the most pressing international challenges of our time.